Team Hickam gears up for Air Mobility Rodeo Published May 11, 2007 By 2nd Lt. Melanie McLean 15th Airlift Wing Public Affairs HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii -- Team Hickam is saddling up for its first Air Mobility Rodeo readiness competition this summer at McChord Air Force Base, Washington. Several squadrons will send their best and brightest to demonstrate Team Hickam's strength in flight and ground operations, including aeromedical evacuation, aircraft maintenance, aerial port operations and securing airfields. "It's a big deal to go and it's a high visibility event -- this is the fist time that Hickam has fielded a team," said Maj. Landon Henderson, Rodeo 2007 team commander. "Two years ago we didn't have any C-17s here, so now is the time to get our foot in the door." The competition is sponsored by the Air Mobility Command, intending to improve the worldwide air mobility forces' professional core abilities. Air Force, Air Force Reserve and allied nations' teams will make up the more than 40 teams planning to participate this year. "We are putting together a team from the entire base -- the 15th Airlift Wing , PACAF and the Hawaii Air National Guard," said Major Hender-son. "For example, three of the 10 members of the maintenance team are from the HIANG." The all-star Rodeo 2007 team will be announced at an upcoming all-ranks base-wide event, plans for which were being made at press time.